Mind Trap Escape Rooms - "Storm Surge"

LOCATION:  Montgomery, Illinois, USA

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Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: Storm Surge
📅 DATE PLAYED: June 1, 2024
🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Survival
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl (Ages 10+)
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: $31.99/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

Carrying nearly a thousand tons of cargo, you embarked on a voyage from Chicago to Holland aboard a vessel. Led by a 24-year-old captain, the 13-man crew was disoriented by dense fog and stormy conditions, causing your ship to run aground around 300 feet off South Manitou Island. You must evacuate the ship within 1 hour before it completely overturns.

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🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

The ship's set design is truly exceptional, featuring meticulous attention to detail on the cargo, lights, switches, and the control board. The sound effects and lighting perfectly complemented the overall production.
Upon entering the dimly lit cargo area of the ship, we were immediately immersed in the urgent and tense atmosphere created by the sound of water rushing in.
The missions involved shutting off the water and navigating away from an approaching storm. From unlocking different compartments of the ship to using various tools to fix leaks and even steering through a stormy sea, the entire experience felt incredibly realistic.
This game offered multiple paths to explore, allowing us to solve puzzles in a non-linear manner. While we encountered puzzles we missed and had to backtrack, ultimately, we had to come together as a team to solve the final challenge.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

The only aspect we feel could be improved is the ending, as it could have more connection to the storyline. We have offered a suggestion to the creator, so a new conclusion may be in store for the future.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

Our GM shared with us that the concept for this captivating game drew inspiration from a unique blend of two beloved classics, The Goonies and Titanic. While we may not have stumbled upon hidden treasures, the enthralling journey that unfolded within this heart-pounding survival game, set amidst the perilous circumstances of a sinking ship, resonated strongly with the essence of both these iconic films.

As we navigated through the challenges and uncertainties of the Storm Surge escape room, it quickly solidified its place as a standout experience among ship-themed adventures we've played. The adrenaline-fueled excitement of facing life-and-death situations onboard a sinking vessel mirrored the intense emotions evoked by the cinematic masterpieces that served as its muse. Even though we needed to get out quickly, we were so captivated by the story that we were actually excited about staying longer inside. The blend of suspense, teamwork, and strategic thinking required to survive this gripping tale left a lasting impression on us, making Storm Surge a memorable and highly recommended escape room experience.

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ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

Free parking in front
Seasonal haunted house experiences
Lobby with seating
Axe-throwing available
Merchandise and drinks available for sale

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BOOK NOW

(If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)

Disclosure: We thank Mind Trap Escape Rooms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.